Table-cloth holder.



140. 643,952. PatentedTeb. 20, I901).

J. D. EASTMAN.

TABLE CLOTH HOLDER.

(Application fllod Sept. 28, 1899.)

(No-Model.)

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II III/IIIIIIIIII/ WITNESSES r 7 INVENTOR.

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%} ATTORNEY.

as :0, PHOTO-LITi IOVWRSHINGTON o c exact description thereof, reference being had UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Jon D. EAs'rMAN, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

TABLE-CLOTH HOLDER.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 643,952, dated February 20, 1960.

Application filed September 28, 1899- Serial No. 731,976. (No model.)

To all when?) it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J on D. EASTMAN; of Indianapolis, county of Marion, and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and useful Table-Cloth Holder; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and

to the accompanying drawings, in which like figures refer to like parts.

The object of this invention is to so hold a table-cloth on a table as to keep it in place and free from wrinkles on top and hold the corners in artistically-draped folds. Without such means the corners of the table-cloth hang inartistically and the table-cloth is readily disarranged on the table, so as to present an untidy appearance.

My invention consists in a distender to hold the corner-folds of the table-cloth in the desired form and also in means for attaching said distender to the corner of the table.

The full nature of my invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the description following of one form of device embodying said invention, and the scope of said invention will be understood from the claims following the description.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective of one corner of a table with the table-cloth holder in place. Fig. 2 is the same with the table-cloth also shown. Fig. 3 isaplan of the part shown in Fig. 1 on a larger scale. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the lineA A of Fig. 3.

In detail, 1 is the table-top, 2 the leg supporting one corner thereof, and 3 the tablecloth.

The form of distender, as shown, consists of a piece of tin or similar met-a1 creased to form tapering extensions 5, having between them creases or narrow recesses 6, in which the table-cloth is wedged and held. The extensions are conical, with the large end downward, in order to hold the corner of the tablecloth in artistic folds. There are in the form shown three of these conical extensions 5, the main one being central at the corner of the table and there being a subordinate one on each side of such central one. The position of the table-cloth is shown in Fig. 2 and in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The exact curvature in cross-section of the extensions 5 may be altered to suit ones taste, but the purpose is for the device to hold the folds in the exact position that the taste of one dictates. The number of extensions 5 is a matter also of taste, only three, however, being here shown. It is observed that vertically the distender is of considerable length, and the creases therefore pinch the table-cloth for a sufficient distance to hold it firmly. This means of holding the crease of the table-cloth by the crease in the distender gives a naturalness to the hang of the table-cloth.

The means for securing the distender to the table, as herein shown, consists of the combination therewith of the top plate 7, resting on the top of the table at the corner, and the spring 8, bearing against the underside of the table, as is shown in Fig. 4:. Said spring 8 is secured at one end to the distender and at the other bears against the table. This spring arrangement enables the device to be suited to tables of varying thickness. The plate 7 on top of the table is beneath the soundingcloth. This means for holding the distender on the table does not mar or injure the same 'in-any way. The curvature of the device as it extends downover the corner of the table is preferably so made as to conform to the shape of the table in any case. The internal angle where the distender and top plate join should fit snugly on the corner of the table whatever its shape. If tin or other flexible material is used, the conformation to the corner of the table can readily be accomplished when it is being placed thereon. The creases are preferably formed with a contraction, as shown in Fig. 3, in order to form yielding surfaces for grasping the table-cloth and an inner enlargement that will not too sharply crease the table-cloth.

I do not wish to limit my invention to the exact form I herein show of the distender or to the means for securing it to the table or to the material stated of which it is made.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A tablecloth holder including a distender for holding the corner of the tablecloth in suitable folds while on the table, and means for attaching the same to the corner of the table.

2. A table cloth holder including a dis- 10 tender adapted to rest on the corner of the table, and a spring secured to the distender' adapted tobear against the under side of the table.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto aflixed my signature in the presence of the witnesses l5 herein named.

JOE D. EASTMAN. \Vitnesses:

M. O. BUCK, V. II. LooKWooD. 

